ONLY ONE SALVATION
#580 ONLY ONE SALVATION
Scripture John 5:36-47, 34, NIV Orig. Date 9/6/70
Rewr. Dates 8/82; 3/15/90
Passage:
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study[a] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God[b]? 45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.
Purpose: To call attention to the mandate of scripture that declares that salvation is in Jesus only.
Keywords: Bible Study Christ as Saviour Word of God Law Liberty
Spiritual Heritage Salvation
Timeline/Series: John
Introduction
There are places I have lived where it was very much to my advantage being an “ordained person.” I spent many years pastoring in the southern region of our state. We lived in towns and cities that were predominantly Catholic. While there were disengaging circumstances as well, as often as not, being in places like New Iberia, and Lafayette, and New Orleans gave special consideration to pastors.
The first couple of years that we were in New Orleans, Ochsner Hospital and Clinic gave 50% discount to pastors and their families. When medicals started escalating in the mid-seventies, they backed away from that. It was nice for a while. In New Iberia, everything that was done to advantage the priests civically, was done for other pastors as well.
Several of us were present recently at the commissioning of our new mission director. At the end of the service, ordained persons were asked to engage in “laying on of hands.” We were called upon to “give credence to, and support for” our friend as he began a new avenue of service.
When the SBC was last in Philadelphia, some messengers learned that ordination was not always a door opener. In the “city of brotherly love,” which, by the way, houses the Liberty Bell, the first seat of American government, and the house where Betsy Ross is said to have put the first flag together. It is also the location of Stephen Girard College, a school for boys, and heavily endowed. Entrance is through the one gate in a surrounding ten-foot wall. Every visitor is asked one question, “are you an ordained person?” If you are, and admit it, you don’t get in.
Now this morning’s message is not about ordination, it is about salvation. Is it free? Is it free for all? Are there requirements that must be met? Can I be certain about my own standing in that regard? As the first Independence Day of the 21st Century nears, a major question must be “Is it politically correct to insist upon a Biblical mandate about this ‘Hoped for’ salvation.”
1. This is Set in the Context of Witnesses of Christ. V32 “There is another beareth witness.”
1. The witness of the Holy Spirit v32.
2. The witness of John the Baptist v35 “he was a burning and shining light.”
3. The witness of Jesus’ works. V36 (1)His concern for God’s will and (2)His love for people.
4. The fourth witness is the Father’s own. V37
5. The fifth witness is scripture. V39 (OT)
6. Lastly, the witness of Moses. V46
II. We Must Take Note that Salvation Does not Come Through Religious Law. V39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.”
There is no doubt which scriptures are meant. Jesus holds the Old Testament on a plane higher than all other writings. No doubt that the Judeo-Christian community has accepted this as without equal. The Jews saw themselves as the “chosen” people because of this confirming word. So Jesus demands of them “Search the scripture. Show me where it says you have eternal life because you have the book.”
One thing that Jesus would never do. That you or I should never do. That is to make light of scripture. It is the sourcebook about God. We discover about man’s beginnings and the changes in people and culture. There are glimmers of God’s aspiration for His creation. Here is the most accurate depiction of sin and its curse.
You see, salvation is not in a printed page but in the ONE who gives credence to the page. A surgeon’s credence is not in his diploma but in the well-being of his patient. An engineer is not established because he can read a blueprint, but because he knows how to change material into mass. You see, the word at every level is worth no more than what gives it credence. Harriet Beecher Stowe – “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” – Tom on the barge – going to Simon Legree -- Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden” – “Them’s good words. But who sez ‘em?”
III. We Face an Inordinate Danger of Trusting Human Personality. V44 “How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only.”
The word honor here is doxan “glory,” from which we get our doxology. Meaning is not outward manifestation, but inward glory. We humans are clearly more interested in the outward manifestation. John 1:14 “. . .we beheld His glory; the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.”
It is a rebuke aimed at the Scribes and Pharisees who see him as an enemy. They are seeking such praise for themselves. Their praying was often “to be seen of men.” (Matthew 6:5). They took upper seats at synagogue. Their reasoning was quite contemporary. “I will be prominent among my peers. What commends me must be more than they.” The error in their judgment is also commonplace. Not: “Am I as good as my neighbor?” Must be: “Do I measure up to the expectation of God?”
The issue for us is not largely different. How many preachers took pleasure in JS/JB fall to pat ourselves on the back? How many Baptists/Methodists took delight that these were Pentecostals. We want to be judged on material issues: education, economics, faithfulness to vote.
David Yohn (C70p52) raises serious questions. “Are we about what Jesus would be about? “The religious apparently is concerned about pretentious cultic practices, the meritorious works of believers, the perpetuation of the institution. . . Religion is manipulated to meet the needs of the religious person, not the needs of the world.”
Salvation outside of Christ is simply something else.
IV. Thirdly, Salvation is not to Be Found in Spiritual Heritage. V45 “The one who is going to accuse you before the Father is none other than Moses, the one you trust.”
Little time will be spent because of similarity with prior point. The problem, you see, is that privilege for the Jew, had become his prison. Jesus’ concern for the poor is unmarred.
The ignorant, the stricken is not condemned. The word of rebuke is to those who have much and abuse it. Everytime we hear truth and sustain cultic error we are condemned. The solution of some is to secrete themselves from the spoken truth. To enter into worship means to hear with the heart about my own sins and how I only can atone for them, and that having proof of spiritual lineage going to Mayflower means nothing.
V. Before These Precious Minutes You Have Allotted Me are Gone, Jesus is Our Only Salvation. V40 “Ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me.” (46)
Biblical salvation is the work of God. I John 5:11 “. . . God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in His son.” Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His son . . . to redeem them that were under the law.”
Salvation became a personal commodity when we decide what to do about what God has done. To believe is to respond with personal volition, and we are saved. To decide not to decide is not postponement, it is prideful arrogance and a decision against Christ. The case for belief is not always open. Lack of certainty can become hardened cynicism. “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1).
Closing
You ask yourself two serious questions this morning. Have I trusted CHRIST as my Saviour? Do I show it in the way I live?